Test Valley

Test Valley's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in average age and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 120,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Test Valley increased by 6.0%, from just under 110,000 to 116,000.

The addition of just under 6,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Test Valley was home to, on average, 1.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Test Valley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Test Valley increased by four years, from 39 to 43 years.

This growing rural area had a higher average age than the South East and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 4,900 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 13% of people in Test Valley are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Test Valley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Employment in Test Valley

Test Valley saw the South East's third-largest fall in the proportion of employed people.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (58%) people aged 16 to 74 in Test Valley said they were employed, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed increased from 1.5% to 2.5%.

Across the region, only Slough (from 59% to 55%) and Milton Keynes (from 63% to 59%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of employed people.

The rate of employment was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

More homes without children

Test Valley saw the South East's third-largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

In 2011, just over 6 in 10 (61%) households in Test Valley had no children, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 31% to 30%.

Across the region, only West Oxfordshire (from 60% to 62%) and Eastleigh (from 59% to 60%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households without children.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Test Valley

The percentage of Test Valley residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.2% to 7.4% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.1%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.2% in 2001. The percentage of Test Valley residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 6.8% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Test Valley, but at a slower rate than in Southampton (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Test Valley).

In Test Valley, the proportion of private renting increased from 8.8% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Southampton increased from 16% to 25%.

Across the South East, the share of privately rented homes increased from 10% to 16%.

The rate of social housing in Test Valley remained close to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 70%.

Private renting in Test Valley increased by 4.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Test Valley, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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